Rotary brush for carwash

ABSTRACT

A rotary brush for a carwash comprised of a rotational hub, a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips, for retaining the LWE to the plastic clip core. A plastic clip core is comprised of a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips. The plastic clip core assembly is mated to a rotational hub, creating the rotary brush. The plastic clip core has a plurality of semi-cylindrical void cavities, each with an adjoining cylindrical void cavity. Each plastic clip has two parallel members, a first member and a second member. Each LWE has an upper edge, lower edge, free edge, and a cylindrical mount. A first member of a plastic clip fits into the cylindrical mount of the LWE and the semi-cylindrical void cavity. The second member of the plastic clip fits into the cylindrical void cavity, thus securing the LWE to the plastic clip core. The plastic clip core mates with the rotational hub in a no-slip condition.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority to, andis a continuation of, U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.16/711,863, filed Dec. 12, 2019, and entitled, “Plastic Clip Core andRotary Brush”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the classification for Servicing,Cleaning, Repairing, Supporting, Lifting, or Maneuvering of Vehicles NotOtherwise Provided for; and to one or more sub-classifications forVehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles, for exteriors ofland vehicles, with rotary bodies contacting the vehicles. Specifically,the present invention is rotary brush for a carwash design to allow forrapid maintenance of the rotary brushes that form a core part of acarwash.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Modern carwashes deploy a plurality of rotary brushes to remove dirt anddebris from the exterior of motor vehicles. Rotary brushes typically arecomprised of a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) thatare secured to a rotational hub. The LWEs can be secured to therotational hub at one end, leaving one end free. Alternately, the LWEcan be secured to the rotational hub near the mid-point of the LWE,leaving two free ends. The LWEs are fabricated from a flexiblehygroscopic material, such as felt, foamed polymers, polyethylene,foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”), or fabric. The LWEs are so spacedabout the rotational hub as to allow the rotary brush to rotate rapidlyin a balanced fashion.

When the rotary brush is inactive, the LWEs hang slack. When the rotarybrush rotates at speed, the LWEs extend nearly horizontally away fromthe rotational hub, due to centrifugal force. The free ends of theplurality of LWEs contact the motor vehicle being washed. The contact ofthe LWEs removes dirt and debris from the exterior of the motor vehicle.The wash environment is wet, with water and detergent being added eitherdirectly to the rotary brush or to the vehicle, or both. The contact ofthe LWE, in conjunction with water and detergent, cleans the car.

The repetitive contact of the free ends of the LWEs degrades theintegrity of the material from which it is fabricated. The LWEs oftentear. When a rotary brush loses part of one or more LWEs, it rotates outof balance. Although a rotary brush assembly is designed to handleout-of-balance rotary brushes, the long-term effect is negative. Propermaintenance requires the replacement of the LWEs at pre-definedintervals. Damage, such as tears, to the LWEs also requires maintenance.

The maintenance of rotary brush assemblies can be time-consuming andcostly. If maintenance is required during operational hours for the carwash, it results in down-time during which employees are being paid, butno vehicles are being washed. If maintenance is performed duringnon-operational hours, staff must either be present before or afteroperational hours to perform the maintenance.

Most rotary brush assemblies are cumbersome with respect to replacing orre-positioning the LWEs. What the market needs is a rotary brushassembly that allows for the quick replacement or re-positioning of theLWEs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a rotarybrush for a carwash, is intended for use on a rotary brush assemblytypically found in carwashes. The embodiment and description are used toillustrate the invention and its utility and are not intended to limitthe invention or its use. The following presents a simplified summary ofthe primary embodiment of the invention to provide a basic understandingof the invention. Additional concepts that can be added or varied withthe primary embodiment are also disclosed. The present invention isnovel with respect to the prior art, and can be distinguished from theprior art.

In general, the present invention, a rotary brush for a carwash,provides for rapid maintenance of the LWEs on rotary brushes typicallyfound in car washes. The plastic clip core assembly is comprised of arotational hub, a plastic clip core, a plurality of plastic clips, and aplurality of LWE. The rotational hub is cylindrical with a compoundinterior surface and a compound exterior surface, meaning that thecross-section of the rotational hub is an annulus with a compoundinterior and exterior surface. The exterior of the rotational hub mateswith the interior surface of the plastic clip core. The exterior of therotational hub has an alternating plurality of semi-cylindrical matingsurfaces and indentations.

The plastic clip core is generally cylindrical in nature, with acompound interior and exterior surface. The interior surface of theplastic clip core mates with the exterior surface of the rotational hub.The plastic clip core has a compound cylindrical internal surfacecomprised from an alternating plurality of semi-cylindrical innersurfaces and protrusions. The rotational hub has a plurality of matingsurfaces and indentations on its exterior cylindrical surface. Theplastic clip core fits over the rotational hub. The plurality of plasticclip core semi-cylindrical inner surfaces align and mate with theplurality of rotational hub mating surfaces. The plurality of plasticclip core protrusions mate with the plurality of rotational hubindentations. With the plastic clip core properly mated to therotational hub, a rotational no-slip condition will exist between theplastic clip core and rotational hub.

The plastic clip core has a compound annular top surface and a compoundannular bottom surface. The exterior surface of the plastic clip core iscreated from a plurality of concave surfaces alternating with an equalplurality of semi-cylindrical void cavities. Each semi-cylindrical voidcavity extends from the compound annular bottom surface to the compoundannular top surface. Each semi-cylindrical void cavity terminates in aleft filleted surface and a right filleted in the adjoining concavesurfaces. The interior of a semi-cylindrical void cavity is made up of asemi-cylindrical surface which extends to the compound annular topsurface. A portion of the semi-cylindrical surface is interrupted by athree-dimensional saddle surface that connects to a cylindrical voidcavity. In other words, each semi-cylindrical void cavity of the plasticclip core is separated from an adjoining cylindrical void cavity by athree-dimensional saddle surface. Each adjoining cylindrical void cavitycan extend from the compound annular bottom surface to the compoundannular top surface, although it is not required for this invention.Allowing the adjoining cylindrical void cavity to extend to the compoundannular bottom surface prevents water from accumulating in the adjoiningcylindrical void cavity during maintenance. The compound annular topsurface has rounded terminations created by the right filleted surfacesand the left filleted surfaces, respectively.

The plastic clip has two cylindrical members joined by a transversemember. The two cylindrical members are parallel.

In a first embodiment, the two cylindrical members are equal in heightand diameter. Both cylindrical members have a rounded bottom. Theplastic clip has a filleted edge connecting the cylindrical members to atransverse member with a flat top. The transverse member is orthogonalto the two cylindrical members.

In a second embodiment, the two cylindrical members have differentheights and diameters. When comparing the first member to the secondmember, the first member has a greater height but a smaller diameter.The first member has a flange on its bottom. The flange secures theplastic clip to the cylindrical mount of the LWE. The flange also snapsinto the semi-cylindrical void cavity of the plastic clip core, tosecure the LWE and plastic clip in place during use. The second memberhas a rounded bottom. The first and second members are connected to atransverse member with a flat top. The transverse member is orthogonalto the two cylindrical members.

The two cylindrical members of the plastic clip fit into asemi-cylindrical void cavity and a cylindrical void cavity in theplastic clip core. The transverse member rests on the three-dimensionalsaddle surface.

The LWE is constructed from two oppositionally disposed planar membersthat are connected together at a cylindrical mount. The twooppositionally disposed planar members are bonded together, leaving abond seam. Each planar member has an upper edge, a lower edge, a freeedge, and a cylindrical mount. The cylindrical mount has an innercylindrical surface and a cut-out. The LWE so fabricated can be onecontinuous piece of material.

The cylindrical mount has an external semi-cylindrical surface thatmeets the planar members of the LWE at a seam. To assemble the plasticclip core, the first cylindrical member of the plastic clip fits in theinner cylindrical surface of the cylindrical mount of the LWE and asemi-cylindrical void cavity. The transverse member of the plastic clipfits in the cut-out of the cylindrical mount of the LWE. The cylindricalmount with the first cylindrical member of the plastic clip insertedfits in the semi-cylindrical void cavity. The diameter of thesemi-cylindrical void cavity is such that it allows for the insertion ofthe LWE cylindrical mount with the first member of the plastic clipinserted into the LWE cylindrical mount. The second cylindrical memberof the plastic clip fits into the adjoining cylindrical void cavity. Thediameter of the adjoining cylindrical void is such that it allows forthe insertion of the second member of the plastic clip to be inserted.The transverse member rests on the saddle surface. In similar fashion,the remainder of the plurality of LWE are attached to the plastic clipcore with an equal plurality of plastic clips.

A plastic clip core that is fully populated with a plurality of LWEretained with plastic clips is called a plastic clip core assembly. Aplastic clip core assembly is mated with the rotational hub. Thisconstitutes a rotary brush using a plastic clip core. The rotary brushso constructed can be used with a rotary brush assembly comprised of arotary brush mount, a drive mechanism, a suspension, and a rotary brushassembly mount, inter alia.

The LWE is fabricated from a flexible and durable hygroscopic material,such as felt, foamed polymers, polyethylene, foamed EVA, or fabric.Typically, the LWE is made by folding a length of material in half andbinding them together. Alternately, the LWE can be constructed from twoplanar members joined together at the cylindrical mount. The LWE can bebound together using adhesive or stitching. A seam defines thecylindrical mount. The cylindrical mount has a small cut-out thatfacilitates the placement of the plastic clip by accommodating thetransverse member.

The plastic clip core is fabricated from a durable metal suitable to theapplication, such as steel, aluminum or a metal alloy. The plastic clipcore is most easily fabricated using a computer, numerically controlledmachine (“CNC”). The left filleted surface and the right filletedsurface serve a critical purpose in preventing the fatigue of the LWE atits interface with the plastic clip core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 10 drawings on 10 sheets.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, a rotary brushfor a carwash.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled plastic clip coreassembly.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a partially assembled plasticclip core assembly showing the insertion of a plastic clip.

FIG. 4 is an isolation view of a plastic clip.

FIG. 5 is an isolation of the plastic clip core.

FIG. 6 is an isolation of a LWE.

FIG. 7 is an isolation of plastic clip core mated with the rotationalhub.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a partially assembled plastic clip coreassembly using an alternative embodiment of the plastic clip and plasticclip core.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partially assembled plastic clip coreassembly using an alternative embodiment of the plastic clip and plasticclip core, wherein the plastic clip is partially inserted into the LWE.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partially assembled plastic clip coreassembly using an alternative embodiment of the plastic clip and plasticclip core, wherein the plastic clip and LWE have been inserted into theplastic clip core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, butrather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the presentinvention, a rotary brush for a carwash. The present invention isillustrated with a variety of drawings showing the primary embodiment ofthe present invention, with examples presented of the variousform-factors that the present invention can take.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one ormore items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” orsimilar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description ofthe present invention, words such as top, bottom, side, upper, lower,front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe theaccompanying figures. The terminology includes the words abovespecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport.

Referring momentarily to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention 1 is a rotarybrush for a carwash 1. The rotary brush for a carwash 1 is comprised ofa plurality of LWE, a rotational hub 20, a plastic clip core 30, and anequal plurality of plastic clips 60. A plastic clip core 30 fullypopulated with LWEs 10 using plastic clips 60 is referred to as aplastic clip core assembly 10, 30, 60. A plastic clip core assembly 10,30, 60 mated with a rotational hub 20 form the rotary brush for acarwash 1. The rotary brush 1 is comprised of a rotational hub 20 joinedwith a plastic clip core assembly 10, 30, 60.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 5, and 7, the rotational hub 20 has a pluralityof cylindrical receptacles 21 for receiving threaded fasteners, and anouter cylindrical surface 23, 24 comprised of an alternating pluralityof mating surfaces 23 and indentations 24. The drive shaft of a standardrotary brush assembly would be bolted the rotary brush for a carwash 1using the cylindrical receptacles 21 of the rotational hub 20.

The plastic clip core 30 mates with the rotational hub 20. The plasticclip core 30 has a compound cylindrical internal surface 150, 151comprised from plurality of semi-cylindrical inner surfaces 151 andprotrusions 150. The rotational hub 20 has a plurality of matingsurfaces 23 and indentations 24 on its outer cylindrical surface 23, 24.The plastic clip core 30 fits over the rotational hub 20. The pluralityof semi-cylindrical inner surfaces 151 of the plastic clip core 30 alignand mate with the plurality of mating surfaces 23 on the rotational hub20. The plurality of protrusions 150 of the plastic clip core 30 matewith the plurality of indentations 24 of rotational hub 20. With theplastic clip core 30 properly mated to the rotational hub 20, arotational no-slip condition will exist between the plastic clip core 30and rotational hub 20.

The plastic clip core 30 has a compound annular top surface 35. Theplastic clip core 30 has a compound annular bottom surface, that isusually, although not necessarily, identical to the compound annular topsurface 35. The exterior surface of the plastic clip core 30 is createdfrom a plurality of concave surfaces 33 alternating with a plurality ofsemi-cylindrical void cavities 34. Each semi-cylindrical void cavity 34terminates in a left filleted surface 132 and a right filleted 134 inthe adjoining concave surfaces 33. The interior of a semi-cylindricalvoid cavity 34 is made up of a semi-cylindrical surface 131 whichextends to the compound annular top surface 135. A portion of thesemi-cylindrical surface 131 is interrupted by a three-dimensionalsaddle surface 141 that connects to a cylindrical void cavity 140. Inother words, each semi-cylindrical void cavity 34 of the plastic clipcore assembly 30 is separated from an adjoining cylindrical void cavity140 by a three-dimensional saddle surface 141. The compound annular topsurface 35 has rounded terminations 36, 37 created by the right filletedsurfaces 134 and the left filleted surfaces 132, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of the plastic clip 60. The plastic clip60 has two parallel cylindrical members 61, 62 joined by a transversemember 65. Each cylindrical member 61, 62 has a rounded bottom 63, 64.The plastic clip has a filleted edge 67 connecting the cylindricalmembers 61, 62 and transverse member 65 to a flat top 66. The firstcylindrical member 61 and the second cylindrical member 62 are equal inheight.

The first and second cylindrical members 61, 62 of the plastic clip 60fit into a semi-cylindrical void cavity 34 and a cylindrical void cavity140 in the plastic clip core 30, respectively. The transverse member 65rests on the three-dimensional saddle surface 141.

FIG. 1 shows that two oppositionally disposed planar members 11, 111form the LWE 10. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 6, the two oppositionallydisposed planar members 11, 111 are bonded together, leaving a bond seam12. Each planar member 11, 111 has an upper edge 14, a lower edge 15, afree edge 13, and a cylindrical mount 16. The cylindrical mount 16 hasan inner cylindrical surface 19 and a cut-out 119.

FIG. 6 shows the construction of a LWE in isolation. FIG. 3 is anexploded view showing the insertion of one of the plastic clips 60, andone of the LWE 10, into the plastic clip core assembly 30. Thecylindrical mount 16 has an external semi-cylindrical surface 18 thatmeets the planar member 11 at a seam 17. The first cylindrical member 61fits in the inner cylindrical surface 19 of the cylindrical mount 16 ofthe LWE 10. The transverse member 65 fits in the cut-out 119 of thecylindrical mount 16. The cylindrical mount 16, with the firstcylindrical member 61 of the plastic clip 60 inserted, fits in thesemi-cylindrical void cavity 34. The second cylindrical member 62 of theplastic clip 60 fits into the adjoining cylindrical void cavity 140. Thetransverse member 65 rests on the saddle surface 141. In similarfashion, the remainder of the plurality of LWE 10 are attached to theplastic clip core assembly 30 with an equal plurality of plastic clips60. FIG. 1 shows a plastic clip core assembly 30 that is fully populatedwith a plurality of LWE 10 using plastic clips 60. This is referred toas the plastic clip core assembly 10, 30, 60. A plastic clip coreassembly 10, 30, 60 that is fully populated with a plurality of LWE 10using plastic clips 60, is mated with the rotational hub 20. Thisconstitutes a rotary brush 1 using a plastic clip core 30. The rotarybrush 1 so constructed can be used with a rotary brush assemblycomprised of a rotary brush mount, a drive mechanism, a suspension, anda rotary brush assembly mount, inter alia. The rotary brush 1 isattached to the rotary brush assembly by attaching bolts or othersuitable fasteners to the cylindrical receptacles 21 on the rotationalhub 20.

FIGS. 8-10 are a progression showing the insertion of an alternativeembodiment of the plastic clips 160, and one of the LWE 10, into theplastic clip core 30. This plastic clip 160 has two parallel cylindricalmembers 162, 163 of different height and width, joined by a transversemember 164. When comparing the first member 162 to the second member163, the first member 162 has a greater height but a smaller diameter.In other words, the first member 162 is taller than the second member163; and the first member 162 has a smaller diameter than the secondmember 163. The first member 162 has a flange 161 on its bottom. Thesmaller diameter of the first member 162 allows the cylindrical mount 16of the LWE 10 to move about the first member 162 more easily than itwould with a thicker diameter. The flange 161 acts as a stop on thecylindrical mount 16 of the LWE 10. The flange 161 also snaps into thesemi-cylindrical void cavity 34, to assure that the plastic clip 160 andLWE 10 remain in place during use. This prevents the plastic clip 160and LWE 10 from being dislodge when struck or tugged. The second member163 has a rounded bottom 165. The first 162 and second 163 members areconnected to a transverse member 164 with a flat top 164. The transversemember 164 is orthogonal to the two cylindrical members 162, 163.

The plastic clip core 30 for the alternative embodiment of the plasticclip 160 remains unaltered. The plastic clip core 30 still has aplurality of concave surfaces 33 alternating with a plurality ofsemi-cylindrical void cavities 34, a plurality of cylindrical voidcavities 140 adjoining the semi-cylindrical void cavities 34, aplurality of three-dimensional saddle surfaces 141 separating thecylindrical void cavities 140 from the semi-cylindrical void cavities34, and a compound annular top surface 35.

Likewise, the LWE 10 is unaltered. FIG. 8 shows the LWE 10 and itsplanar member 11, a bond seam 12, an upper edge 14, a lower edge 15, anda free edge 13.

The first and second cylindrical members 162, 163 of the plastic clip160 fit into a semi-cylindrical void cavity 34 and a cylindrical voidcavity 140 in the plastic clip core 30, respectively. The transversemember 164 rests on the three-dimensional saddle surface 141.

The LWE 10 is fabricated from a flexible and durable hygroscopicmaterial, such as felt, foamed polymers, polyethylene, foamed EVA, orfabric. The LWE 10 is made by folding a length of material in half andbinding them together. The LWE can be bound together using adhesive orstitching. Near the mid-point, a seam 18 defines the cylindrical mount16. The cylindrical mount 16 has a small cut-out 119 that facilitatesthe placement of the plastic clip 60 by accommodating the transversemember 65.

The plastic clip core 30 is fabricated from a durable metal suitable tothe application, such as steel, aluminum or a metal alloy. The plasticclip core 30 is most easily fabricated using a computer, numericallycontrolled machine (“CNC”). The left filleted surface 132 and the rightfilleted surface 134 serve a critical purpose in preventing the fatigueof the LWE 10 at its interface with the plastic clip core 30.

We claim:
 1. A rotary brush using a plastic clip core assembly comprisedof a rotational hub, a plastic clip core comprised of a compoundcylindrical external surface, a compound cylindrical internal surface, acompound annular top surface, a compound annular bottom surface, whereinthe compound cylindrical external surface has a plurality ofsemi-cylindrical void cavities extending from the compound annularbottom surface to the compound annular top surface; and wherein eachsemi-cylindrical void cavity has an adjoining cylindrical void cavity. aplurality of LWE, and a plurality of plastic clips, equal in number tothe plurality of LWE, wherein the rotational hub mates with the plasticclip core by slipping inside the plastic clip core; wherein each plasticclip has a first cylindrical member connected with a second cylindricalmember by a transverse member; and wherein each plastic clip retains oneLWE in the plastic clip core.
 2. The rotary brush using a plastic clipcore assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotational hub has an outercylindrical surface comprised of an alternating plurality of matingsurfaces and indentations.
 3. The rotary brush using a plastic clip coreassembly of claim 2, wherein the compound cylindrical internal surfaceof the plastic clip core is comprised of an alternating plurality ofsemi-cylindrical inner surfaces and protrusions.
 4. The rotary brushusing a plastic clip core assembly of claim 3, wherein the plastic clipcore mates with the rotational hub in a no-slip condition.
 5. The rotarybrush using a plastic clip core assembly of claim 4 wherein thesemi-cylindrical inner surfaces of the internal surface of the plasticclip core align with the mating surfaces of the outer cylindricalsurface of the rotational hub; and the protrusions of the cylindricalinternal surface of the plastic clip core align with the indentations ofthe outer cylindrical surface of the rotational hub.
 6. The rotary brushusing a plastic clip core assembly of claim 5, wherein the rotationalhub has a plurality of cylindrical receptacles.
 7. The rotary brushusing a plastic clip core assembly of claim 6, wherein the cylindricalreceptacles are receivers for threaded fasteners.